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I'm nearly finished my final shift with @ABCemergency for the 2019-20 season.
We started in September and the fires had already started. We had to hit the ground running.
But for seven days a week, often 24 hours a day, someone in the Emergency team was keeping an eye on things
We started in September and the fires had already started. We had to hit the ground running.
But for seven days a week, often 24 hours a day, someone in the Emergency team was keeping an eye on things
We were in different cities, and only ever saw each other once in person. The rest was all done on Teams and by phone.
And as the fires got worse, and then worse again, we just kept going. And it was hard to be in that headspace for months on end, with hardly a calm day.
And as the fires got worse, and then worse again, we just kept going. And it was hard to be in that headspace for months on end, with hardly a calm day.
The New Year period was really hard. I wasn't even working but I was crying on the beach as I heard about Mallacoota and thought of my colleagues watching that footage and hearing those stories all day and night. But we got counselling and we kept going, and I think we are ok.
Then eventually February came and we thought the worst was over, and the rain came (and the hail)
But the coronavirus was just starting to seem more serious. And then it was on the doorstep and no-one had dealt with anything like that before so we had to start over.
But the coronavirus was just starting to seem more serious. And then it was on the doorstep and no-one had dealt with anything like that before so we had to start over.
And then people were scared all over again, and this time they weren't scared for their friends a few hours away, they were scared for themselves and the fear was palpable. And we had make sure our messages were accurate and measured and we had to sprinkle some lightness in there
And we were tired, and confused sometimes because the information kept changing. But we adapted and did what we could to make sure people had the latest information even if the advice changed daily.
We took our work home and we worked with cats and kids like everyone else.
We took our work home and we worked with cats and kids like everyone else.
We thought ourselves lucky to still be working as so many lost their jobs.
But today is the last day for most of us. And I want to thank one of the most supportive and encouraging teams I've ever worked with. I've never felt so appreciated at work. And I'm going to miss them
But today is the last day for most of us. And I want to thank one of the most supportive and encouraging teams I've ever worked with. I've never felt so appreciated at work. And I'm going to miss them
The team are @sascharundle @ThereseRH @jennifer_lacey @SuzyRamone @rosiegreenham @pathession @quickair @Catherine_Zen @Peter_Riley973 @AndrewHeslop @schaefer_val + PB and SR and DR plus many other casuals, presenters and producers. Sorry if I forgot someone.
But special thanks to my fellow digital producers, @SueDeneDaniel @alittletess and @riajack who were unfailingly supportive and great to work with no matter how many ABC pages they were trying to keep up-to-date on those darkest days.
It's been an extraordinary experience and privilege to do this work.
This is one of the things the ABC does best.
I'm heading back to @abcbrisbane this week - another job I love. I'm fortunate.
This is one of the things the ABC does best.
I'm heading back to @abcbrisbane this week - another job I love. I'm fortunate.
And of course, we all owe thanks to the Emergency Services and the health workers around this country.
